Good tips for Top down shots
- Thread starter roxy25
- Start date
Primetime33
SCMAS Logistics and IT
Tagging along.. I cant take top downs to save my life!!
Primetime33
SCMAS Logistics and IT
Kerry,
I wish my top down shots were half as good.
How far from the surface is your lense?
Are you using a macro for top downs?
I cant use a photobox, since my hand shakes like I have been drinking triple shot expressos for a week.
I wish my top down shots were half as good.
How far from the surface is your lense?
Are you using a macro for top downs?
I cant use a photobox, since my hand shakes like I have been drinking triple shot expressos for a week.
roxy25
New member
LMAO
Yeah Brock , I am using macro lens with extension tubes I would probably get better shots if I take off tubes because this camera with lens and tubes = HEAVY lol
I hate the photobox this is why I asked with the photobox I need extra hands to hold the box. my 20D is a lot heavier than some of the people with xti's xt xsi etc...
Here is a photobox picture ... look shadows !!!!!
I could not get box parallel to the corals you can see distortion ......
Primetime33
SCMAS Logistics and IT
Those still look good... I know what ya mean about the shadows.. I just cant keep it still at all. I will try some shots later once the lights come on the frag tank.
roxy25
New member
Yeah photoboxs is a PITA !
I will try some shots without the tubes see if I get less blurred due to heavyness lol. I turn my pumps off when taking top downs ....
I also the pics look ok but I took maybe 20 plus pics and only one was good enough lol so don't go thinking that with ever shot I get , I get a good photo lol , I am having probably the same frustration and trouble as much as you are hahahah
see now these here are ok cause this was my P n S camera lol
Primetime33
SCMAS Logistics and IT
Dang!!! Those are real nice with the P&S...
Looks as though you have a real steady hand or are u using a tripod?
I too, turn off all pumps...
These are with Macro and no Photobox.. just cant get it right...
Looks as though you have a real steady hand or are u using a tripod?
I too, turn off all pumps...
These are with Macro and no Photobox.. just cant get it right...
roxy25
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13711746#post13711746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Primetime33
Dang!!! Those are real nice with the P&S...
Looks as though you have a real steady hand or are u using a tripod?
I too, turn off all pumps...
These are with Macro and no Photobox.. just cant get it right...
No tripod lol with any othe the shots posted
what is the f/stop you are using ? and what ISO ?
Primetime33
SCMAS Logistics and IT
various settings.. iso normally at 200. Fstop on the bllyclubs is set at 10
MrSandman
Team RC
Strange. I use a photobox and i don't have such problems. Maybe its the design of your photobox. Mine is quite deep and the sides are black acrylic. In fact, when i use my photobox, it is almost completely submerged and my macro lens is well below the waterline. I also use a 20D.
Also, when you use a photobox there is no need to be parallel to the corals to get a good shot (unless you actually want a shot from that angle). In fact, you might get better results at a slight angle because you won't be blocking so much of the light.
When you take a shot w/o a photobox then yeah, the best shot is parallel (or directly over the coral). The problem with not using a photobox is several things: reflections from the lights above and diffraction when shooting at a slight angle, not to mention the scary positions you need to be at when taking some of the photos (i.e. standing over the tank with the halides just inches away from your arms). One slip and things could get ugly.
What lens are you using? Your photos look like they have a whitish hue to it. Are you using a lens hood? You may be able to post-process that white hue away.
Here is a shot with a photobox uncropped and unedited. This was shot at ISO 100, f/3.5 and 1/125 with the Canon 100mm macro lens:
Also, when you use a photobox there is no need to be parallel to the corals to get a good shot (unless you actually want a shot from that angle). In fact, you might get better results at a slight angle because you won't be blocking so much of the light.
When you take a shot w/o a photobox then yeah, the best shot is parallel (or directly over the coral). The problem with not using a photobox is several things: reflections from the lights above and diffraction when shooting at a slight angle, not to mention the scary positions you need to be at when taking some of the photos (i.e. standing over the tank with the halides just inches away from your arms). One slip and things could get ugly.
What lens are you using? Your photos look like they have a whitish hue to it. Are you using a lens hood? You may be able to post-process that white hue away.
Here is a shot with a photobox uncropped and unedited. This was shot at ISO 100, f/3.5 and 1/125 with the Canon 100mm macro lens:
MrSandman
Team RC
Hope you don't mind. I messed around with Adobe Lightroom and tried to fix your photo. Took me about 20 seconds.
Here is the original:
Also noticed that your shutter speed was 1/50 at 105mm. If you're handholding, then that's pretty good.
By the way, is that is how they look in person then i might have to hit you up for a frag.
Here is the original:
Also noticed that your shutter speed was 1/50 at 105mm. If you're handholding, then that's pretty good.
By the way, is that is how they look in person then i might have to hit you up for a frag.
roxy25
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13713037#post13713037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MrSandman
Hope you don't mind. I messed around with Adobe Lightroom and tried to fix your photo. Took me about 20 seconds.
Here is the original:
Also noticed that your shutter speed was 1/50 at 105mm. If you're handholding, then that's pretty good.
By the way, is that is how they look in person then i might have to hit you up for a frag.
They almost look like the lightroom photo , but its a little bit exaggerative.
Yes I have that white overexposed look. I don't have the lens hood on maybe I should try that, Yes no tripod with any of my top downs my ISO is 800 most of the time.
For me I have t5's and my tank is 20x20x12 I just stand on a chair lol and my lights are on the tank when I take pics I just move them out the way. My lens is about 5-6 inches away from the water ?
MrSandman
Team RC
As an FYI, the rule of thumb for handholding shots the minimum recommended shutter speed is 1/focal length. Since you're using a 105mm lens, then the recommended shutter speed to avoid blurriness due to camera shake is at least 1/105s. However, your shots don't look too blurry which is why i am quite surprised that you handheld.
Anyways, on the shot i processed i didn't adjust any of the colors or saturation. From what i remember i just adjusted the exposure, brightness, contrast, and some of the shadow detail. Adding a lens hood will help your contrast a little as it will prevent light from hitting the lens element. Maybe that white cast is coming from when you post-process from RAW. Maybe try underexposing a little when you convert from RAW. Just a thought. HTH.
Anyways, on the shot i processed i didn't adjust any of the colors or saturation. From what i remember i just adjusted the exposure, brightness, contrast, and some of the shadow detail. Adding a lens hood will help your contrast a little as it will prevent light from hitting the lens element. Maybe that white cast is coming from when you post-process from RAW. Maybe try underexposing a little when you convert from RAW. Just a thought. HTH.
melev
Well-known member
I shoot topdowns every couple of months, and it is just like shoot from the front of the tank. My camera is in Macro mode, f/2.8, with the lowest ISO avialable. They are corals, not fish. You don't need to take high speed action shots. Don't use the flash either.
If you affix the camera to the photobox, your job is easier. Use the neck strap to support the camera and box, wrap your pinky fingers under the box and the rest of your fingers hold the camera itself.
Point, focus, shoot. If the flow in your tank is making the box bob around too much, turn off the pumps for the photo-taking session.
Here are a few recent shots:
If you affix the camera to the photobox, your job is easier. Use the neck strap to support the camera and box, wrap your pinky fingers under the box and the rest of your fingers hold the camera itself.
Point, focus, shoot. If the flow in your tank is making the box bob around too much, turn off the pumps for the photo-taking session.
Here are a few recent shots:
Primetime33
SCMAS Logistics and IT
Absolutely great shots Melev!!! I never thought about using the strap to give a little more support/security.
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